"Ah, come on, you lot. Can't a man ever get some alone time in here?"

James heaved a sigh before looking across the room to see who was occupying the large bathtub. "Oh, it's you."

Lily glanced back at him but didn't make any moves to cover herself up further or get him to leave. "You sound disappointed?"

"Definitely not. I thought you were one of the other prefects. I was really hoping to avoid them. Don't tell anyone," James added, dropping his voice to a whisper. "But you're my favorite. Rarely want anything from me, competent enough to get your own tasks done. Quality Head Girl, if I do say so myself."

She rolled her eyes with a giggle. "You're ridiculous, Potter."

James hovered near the doorway, unsure whether to stay or go. Lily didn't clarify, just spoke from her spot in the center of the room. "Looks like we both had the same idea. Make it over to the Prefect's Bathroom during lunch for some peace and quiet. I'm not judging." Lily met James's look, comforting his awkwardness. "You have just as much right to judge me for midday bathing as I do to judge you. Unfortunately for you," Lily continued, and James could hear the smirk in her voice. "I thought of this two years ago. But I'm almost done here anyway."

He'd turned to leave, but at her last words, James spun back around to face Lily. Things between them were… different this year. He wasn't sure how much of that change was because he was made Head Boy (and Lily, Head Girl) or because of the effects of their general maturations, but James wasn't complaining. He'd always had this fascination with Lily Evans. Since September, though, she'd actually had full conversations with him. She'd become more of a person to him. It was nice.

She was oblivious to his thoughts. "And here I thought OWL year was rough. NEWTs may just do me in."

James chuckled, dropping his bag over in a dry corner, toeing around the sizeable puddles of water on the floor around the tub. "Oh," she said as an afterthought. "Watch it, floor's slippery." Lily leaned her head back against the edge of the bathtub, her red hair swirling out around her in the water. Large, pale pink bubbles covered the water. She looked more relaxed than he'd seen her all year. Lily was right—NEWTs were taking a toll on the seventh years. Their professors had exceedingly high expectations, and with their new patrol duties nearly every night, paired with the fact that they were tasked with keeping the prefects in line, James hardly had time for sleep. He was sure it showed on his face.

"I don't even think it's the classes that are getting to me. Not as much as those fifth year Hufflepuff prefects…"

The sound of Lily's laugh echoed around the large room. She looked back over at him. "Exactly. I mean, it's nice that they care, but could they care just a bit less? Just enough to give me some time to breathe?"

He gave her a weak smile, which only brightened as she matched it. The stress, the tiresome lull that hung over them moments before seemed to lift.

Just when James was about to use the opportunity, Lily picked up her wand from the edge of the tub. With a wave and a murmured spell, the water started to drain and she was donned in a bathrobe. "I'll give you a chance to use this before afternoon classes start. See you tonight?"

"T—tonight?"

"Rounds, Potter." She grinned at him, making her way over to get dressed again before he'd managed to mutter any parting words.

.

A/N: Written for Herbology Hangout: (word) Tiresome, (time) Midday, (setting) Prefect's Bathroom;

Funko Pop – Scarlet Witch: 3: (color) Red, 4: (character) Lily Evans;

Cheese Board – Figs: (dialogue) "You're my favorite.";

Writing Club – Assorted Appreciation 9: Write about taking care of yourself;

Disney Challenge S5: Write about a safe haven;

Bex's Basement 13: You don't judge me, 'cause if you did, I would judge you too;

Bath Bomb 21: Lily Evans, 35: James Potter;

Fortnightly – Dry January H4: Write about something relaxing;

Insane House Challenge 319: (pairing) James/Lily;

365 Prompts: 149: Slippery;

Seasonal – Days of the Year – Jan 8 Bubble Bath Day: Write about someone relaxing after a hard day/event;

Elemental: (object) Bathtub;

Winter in Japan – Onsen: Write about someone relaxing;

Slytherin Challenge: (trait) Clever;

Writing Month: wc 622